Cody discusses the application of solar power in the rail industry. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions […]
Section: Ask Trains
What are those gray SPMX covered hoppers?
Q: What are the gray SPMX covered hoppers for? I see them everywhere, but never moving. – Carol Schuler A: SPMX is a relatively new reporting mark – so new that it doesn’t show up yet on many of the websites I use for reference. But that reporting mark belongs to Shell Polymers. That’s a […]
What is the difference between a coach and a chair car?
Cody addresses the differences between a coach and a chair car in this installment of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com […]
How do I control a turnout with a slide switch?
Q: I want to use Tony Koester’s method to control a turnout with a slide switch. Do you know if he powers the frog with this switch or just moves the points? If he powers the frog, how is it wired? – Don DeLay A: The technique to control a turnout with a slide switch […]
How railroads transport different types of steel
Cody discusses the rules and regulations around the transport of steel products by rail. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors […]
What’s in a locomotive number?
Cody discusses locomotive numbering in this installment of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers […]
What is the hopper car from the December 2021 issue?
Cody addresses a covered hopper car in the December 2021 issue of Trains magazine. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors […]
Choosing a modeling scale
Q: I want to get back into model railroading, but I’m stuck on choosing a modeling scale. I don’t know whether to go with HO or N. Please give me the pros and cons of each. – John Sala A: Choosing a modeling scale is one of the most consequential decisions a modeler faces, right […]
Does the Amtrak Downeaster require two engineers to back up?
Cody addresses the Amtrak Downeaster in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions […]
How do I build a layout swing gate?
Q: On page 45 of the Nov. 2022 issue, a swing gate is shown as part of Mark Carlson’s Chicago & North Western layout. It looks like a marvelous way of avoiding duckunders, lift bridges, and other methods of entering an around-the-room layout. Are there any alignment problems or inherent sagging issues of which builders […]
How do you evaluate the price of model trains?
Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers […]
Are the Hammerhead and Western Maryland RS3s similar?
Cody answers this question in this video of Ask Trains. Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? Send us an email at: AskTrains@trains.com ………………………………… Ask Trains is a regular video feature of Trains.com for magazine subscribers and Trains.com members, where editors answer the questions readers […]